The Star meets Empty Stocking goal with last-minute $10,000 donation

By Jackie Bridges / Staff Writer

Published: Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 11:21 AM.

Making and surpassing the $35,000 goal for the Empty Stocking Fund has been a community effort.

Neighbors reached into their pockets and dug down deep. Uptown businesses got involved and sponsored a day of fundraising. The Copper Rock Coffee Shop donated a gift card and sold tickets to raise money for the fund. Despite everyone's efforts, the total on Christmas Day was just over $25,000. I was pleased with the effort, because I knew that people gave from their hearts.

But that's not the end of the story.

Moved by stories of people in need, Hoyt Q. Bailey contacted me on Dec. 30 to give a $10,000 donation to push us past our goal. He had been trying to get me since Christmas Eve, but I was home with my family.

"I've been reading your columns, and I want you to reach your goal," Bailey, a former Cleveland County School Board member, said.

The 86-year-old Bailey has made a lifetime of serving the community.

"I've had a wonderful life," he said. "I've enjoyed mainly serving others. I've been on so many boards, I feel like a 2 by 4."

Bailey wanted to honor his sister with his gift. She is a mother of three and matriarch to a family of 31.

"She has been a great inspiration to me all my life," he said. "She would want me to help others."

Bailey's generous gift is a first for the Empty Stocking Fund, but there have been other firsts this year, including:

- Michael and Patsy Cheng donated all the proceeds from a Friday lunch buffet to the fund, and Chen's waiters gave their tips.

- 8-year-old Brady Stout's letter to Santa inspired his parents to sponsor a fundraiser for the Empty Stocking Fund.

- And now, Bailey has given the largest single donation since I've been writing columns for the Empty Stocking Fund.

The donation was great news for the Rev. Charles Reed, ministry team leader of the Greater Cleveland County Baptist Association. He knows of one family already that he wants to help with the funds. Instead of Christmas being a joyous time for them, they buried a son and are now faced with debt from medical bills.

"We appreciate everyone who made a contribution to the Empty Stocking Fund, and what a pleasant surprise when Mr. Hoyt Bailey called me and said he was making a donation to get us over our goal," Reed said. "With this, we will be helping people with all kinds of needs - physical, mental, spiritual and social. We are grateful for everyone doing their part to help us reach out to our neighbors in need."

With your help:

- 816 children opened gifts on Christmas day.

- A family celebrated Christmas in their home.

- An elderly woman hired an exterminator to rid her house of cockroaches.

- A mother bought gifts for her nine children.

- An elderly woman bought supplies for her husband who is battling cancer.

- Children suffering from allergies are breathing easier because the family no longer has to heat with firewood.

- Toys and other items were replaced for a family who lost all their belongings in a fire.

But the needs don't stop there. Your gifts will continue to give families hope in the New Year. Thank you for spreading cheer as 2014 begins.

Making and surpassing the $35,000 goal for the Empty Stocking Fund has been a community effort.

Neighbors reached into their pockets and dug down deep. Uptown businesses got involved and sponsored a day of fundraising. The Copper Rock Coffee Shop donated a gift card and sold tickets to raise money for the fund. Despite everyone's efforts, the total on Christmas Day was just over $25,000. I was pleased with the effort, because I knew that people gave from their hearts.

But that's not the end of the story.

Moved by stories of people in need, Hoyt Q. Bailey contacted me on Dec. 30 to give a $10,000 donation to push us past our goal. He had been trying to get me since Christmas Eve, but I was home with my family.

"I've been reading your columns, and I want you to reach your goal," Bailey, a former Cleveland County School Board member, said.

The 86-year-old Bailey has made a lifetime of serving the community.

"I've had a wonderful life," he said. "I've enjoyed mainly serving others. I've been on so many boards, I feel like a 2 by 4."

Bailey wanted to honor his sister with his gift. She is a mother of three and matriarch to a family of 31.

"She has been a great inspiration to me all my life," he said. "She would want me to help others."

Bailey's generous gift is a first for the Empty Stocking Fund, but there have been other firsts this year, including:

- Michael and Patsy Cheng donated all the proceeds from a Friday lunch buffet to the fund, and Chen's waiters gave their tips.

- 8-year-old Brady Stout's letter to Santa inspired his parents to sponsor a fundraiser for the Empty Stocking Fund.

- And now, Bailey has given the largest single donation since I've been writing columns for the Empty Stocking Fund.

The donation was great news for the Rev. Charles Reed, ministry team leader of the Greater Cleveland County Baptist Association. He knows of one family already that he wants to help with the funds. Instead of Christmas being a joyous time for them, they buried a son and are now faced with debt from medical bills.

"We appreciate everyone who made a contribution to the Empty Stocking Fund, and what a pleasant surprise when Mr. Hoyt Bailey called me and said he was making a donation to get us over our goal," Reed said. "With this, we will be helping people with all kinds of needs - physical, mental, spiritual and social. We are grateful for everyone doing their part to help us reach out to our neighbors in need."

With your help:

- 816 children opened gifts on Christmas day.

- A family celebrated Christmas in their home.

- An elderly woman hired an exterminator to rid her house of cockroaches.

- A mother bought gifts for her nine children.

- An elderly woman bought supplies for her husband who is battling cancer.

- Children suffering from allergies are breathing easier because the family no longer has to heat with firewood.

- Toys and other items were replaced for a family who lost all their belongings in a fire.

But the needs don't stop there. Your gifts will continue to give families hope in the New Year. Thank you for spreading cheer as 2014 begins.